Introducing: Lars Boven

Every week Development Team Jumbo-Visma presents one of its young talents who will be part of next year’s development team. Yesterday, Lars Boven finished in seventh place in the junior time trial world championship. In addition, Boven became third in last year’s junior edition of Paris-Roubaix. He also secured the red-white-blue jersey in the Dutch time-trial championship for juniors. The second-year junior from Reutem will start in the road race at the U19 World Championships in Yorkshire next Saturday.

When you are not riding a bicycle, what do you do? “In addition to cycling, I study engineering. I am in the first year of a total of four years. So I am still busy with my studies.”

What is your favourite pro race?“That is without a doubt Paris-Roubaix. It is a tough race because of all those cobblestones. Last year I did well in the juniors’ race. I became third there.”

What is the best moment you have experienced on a bicycle? “That was last June, when I won the Dutch Time Trial Championship. It was a very nice victory which I did not see coming. I did not know in advance what my level would be as I had never ridden a time trial against all top riders from the Netherlands. Afterwards, my time turned out to be good enough for the tri-colour.”

Which rider do you take as an example?“I don’t consider one specific rider my example. In general I love riders who attack. I also like to use that style in the races that I ride.”

What music do you prefer to listen to during a time trial warm-up? “I don’t have a favourite artist, but I like to listen to rap and hip hop. Especially shortly before a time trial I like to listen to that style of music.”

When you don’t watch cycling on TV, what do you like to watch? “I mainly watch Netflix. There is currently no series that I follow. I often watch a movie or something like that.”

What are your expectations for the upcoming season? “I’ll start the season with low expectations. I will have to adapt in my first year. Older opponents, longer distances. It will take a while until I will have adjusted myself.”